coyote bite

[engelberry]

so this afternoon my husband finds one of our hens in a coyote's mouth! he was able to get outside, scare the coyote off and save our hen. however, he did notice the coyote wasn't exactly healthy-looking. the hen escaped with a scrape on her back, not bleeding, but definitely an open wound. so our concern is, should we treat her somehow? quarantine her? will her eggs be okay?
otherwise, she seems okay, shaken and nervous, but otherwise fine and back with her girls.

 

[buck-wild-chick]

I don't know what to tell you..But I do know that your hen is probably just in shock right now. Poor girl!

 

[PamsPride]

YIKES! It was posted on the local vets bill board about a month ago "Confirmed coyote with rabies found in local area".
Two of my neighbors also swear that the coyotes they shot had rabies.

 

[abluechipstock]

if i'm not mistaken birds don't get rabies because their body temperatures are to high for the disease to live, hope this helps

 

[allen wranch]

Wash the hen's back off and put some antibiotic ointment on it. Even though she is just scratched, if there is any red showing the other birds may peck at her. If you see that isolate her.

Only mammals can get rabies. However, if the coyote had rabies and there was any saliva on the hens back when you checked her out, there is a possibility you or your husband could be exposed.

Check with your doctor about it.

General Questions & Answers About Rabies from the Center for Disease Control

 

[Mahonri]

Too bad your hubby didn't have his rifle handy and send the coyote off to the other side.

 

[BJ]

Please keep us updated on this situation. I feel worried for you. Your hen may need some TLC for a few days.
Let us know how you and your hen are doing....

 

[deerman]

Wow, carefully handling the chicken, rabies you can get from the coyote salvia

 

[deerman]

Would not risk tring to treat the hen. You and yours need to check with a Doc. if you have touch the bird.

 

[engelberry]

we both donned latex gloves prior to handling her and will continue to do so. for now, i will check on her periodically and watch for the other girls pecking on her. thanks for everyone's feedback, we appreciate it!